Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced an economic development team that will implement key elements of his Jobs Plan. Mayor Lee tapped Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) Director Jennifer Matz to lead efforts to revitalize the central waterfront, appointed Deputy Director Todd Rufo as Director of OEWD and Ken Rich as Director of Development.

“Jobs and the economy are among my highest priorities as mayor and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development sits at the very center of implementing critical elements of my jobs plan,” said Mayor Lee. “Accomplishing ambitious goals takes a strong team, and I am promoting these talented individuals to take on new and expanded responsibilities to advance my economic and workforce development agenda.”

Three transformational projects are currently underway between Piers 30-32 and Pier 70 – the new Warriors arena, the Giants’ Mission Rock development just south of the ballpark on Seawall Lot 337, and Forest City’s rehabilitation and remaking of the historic shipyard at Pier 70.

· The Golden State Warriors will build an arena at piers 30-32 in time to bring the team back to their original home in San Francisco for the 2017 season. The project to build a privately-financed sports and entertainment facility will also provide extraordinary waterfront access and maritime activity.
· The 27-acre Mission Rock Project at Seawall Lot 337 will be one of the largest mixed-use urban projects in America with an estimated 1.7 million square feet of space for San Francisco’s growing businesses, 1,000 residential units and eight acres of open space.
· The shipyard at Pier 70 is currently in disrepair, but Forest City plans to create an innovative district within the City by integrating new commercial uses and the area’s historic shipbuilding function into a vital, living neighborhood.

Mayor Lee asked Jennifer Matz to direct this unprecedented revitalization of the City’s central waterfront. “The cumulative effect of these developments will be so profound that they require the singular focus of a proven leader,” said Mayor Lee.

Taking the helm at OEWD will be Todd Rufo, currently the Deputy Director, who has lead the City’s business attraction and retention efforts, with a focus on key business sectors including technology, biotech, cleantech, financial and professional services and manufacturing. Rufo received a Masters in Urban Planning in 2004 from the Wagner School of Public Service at New York University, after which he worked for the City of New York.

“Over the past five years, Todd Rufo has worked relentlessly to attract, retain and drive job creation in the City,” said Mayor Lee. “I have asked Todd to lead OEWD and to focus on our neighborhood commercial corridors, small businesses, continue the revitalization of Central Market, and attract and retain the jobs of the future for San Francisco residents.”

Ken Rich will become Director of Development and lead the Mayor’s efforts to support public/private development projects, as well as serve as the Mayor’s primary liaison for development issues. Rich has been with OEWD for two years as Project Director, during which time he has led the City’s efforts on the CPMC hospital rebuild, the SFMOMA expansion and Octavia Boulevard real estate development. Rich has worked for the City for 15 years including for the County Transportation Authority, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and for 11 years at the Planning Department, where he managed the Balboa Park, Schlage Lock and Eastern Neighborhoods planning efforts. Rich received a Masters in City and Regional Planning from University of California at Berkeley in 1996.

“Ken Rich’s detailed knowledge of what makes planning and development work in this City will be invaluable in advancing my development vision,” said Mayor Lee.